Feb 20, 2018 | Blog, February 2018, Tawna Fenske
The Test by Tawna Fenske is a book adventure in self discovery with the perfect balance of humor, and dialogue that’s honest and real. T
he scorchin’ hot chemistry readers, it’s absolutely delicious. Do you have the courage to step out of your comfort bubble to discover your true self and your deepest desires?
Just when Lisa Michaels thought her entire world was falling apart, she decided to do the unthinkable. Can Lisa do the complete opposite of what people expect when she meets Dax Kensington. Both will be found guilty of judging by appearances, how will this crime be resolved ;)? One night readers, it will change everything and take them on a journey for thirty days.
In a world where people make snap judgments, Tawna shows us what happens when those assumptions are not what they appear to be. If you live life the way others expect you to, you’ll never be happy or satisfied. Those bad boys aren’t always what you think.
This book has so many layers, with every turn of the page you find another molten bite. In fact, there is one scene that will surely singe your e-reader. Perhaps we all need our own list? Is there something you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t had the courage to commit? I wonder how many readers will connect with Lisa and feel the urge to come out of their comfort zone to tackle our fears. Are you ready?
Tawna writes romance with humor, the romance is hot and sassy, and characters will leave you wanting more! While I prefer scotch on the rocks or a glass of wine, I think I might have to order a Dirty Martini, x-tra dirty sometime ;).
Scorchin – Caution, may lead to unexpected need to turn on the A/C. I received an ARC from the publisher for a fair and honest review.
Author Info:
When Tawna Fenske finished her English lit degree at 22, she celebrated by filling a giant trash bag full of romance novels and dragging it everywhere until she’d read them all. Now she’s a RITA-nominated, USA Today bestselling author who writes humorous fiction, risqué romance, and heartwarming love stories with a quirky twist. Publishers Weekly has praised Tawna’s offbeat romances with multiple starred reviews and noted, “There’s something wonderfully relaxing about being immersed in a story filled with over-the-top characters in undeniably relatable situations. Heartache and humor go hand in hand.”
Tawna lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband, stepkids, and a menagerie of ill-behaved pets. She loves hiking, snowshoeing, standup paddleboarding, and inventing excuses to sip wine on her back porch. She can peel a banana with her toes and loses an average of twenty pairs of eyeglasses per year. To find out more about Tawna and her books, visit www.tawnafenske.com.
Tawna’s Links:
Author Website: www.tawnafenske.com
Feb 19, 2018 | Blog, February 2018, Tawna Fenske
Ok readers, the e-book is still up for grabs as the prize has yet to be claimed.
Per the rules, a new name has randomly selected.
Good luck!
Rae: Thank you for hanging out with me.
Tawna: Thank YOU for inviting me! I always love chatting about book stuff.
Rae: First, if we were meeting at a coffee shop I’d be drinking a Spiced Latte with Coconut Milk topped with chocolate drizzle.
What would you order?
Tawna: I’m a serious tea fanatic, so I’d order a big mug of whatever black tea sounds interesting, plus sugar and milk to mix in after it’s steeped for just the right amount of time.
Rae: Let’s talk books – Happy Book Birthday for The Test releasing today. Not only do we have the usual drinks being served up by our barista, we’ve got cake because no birthday is complete without cake!
Tawna: Thank you! I am sadly devoid of a sweet tooth, so you get all the cake, but can we order a big pile of tater tots to share?
Rae: Of course we can order tater tots! That sounds yummy. While we’re waiting for those to cook up, can you please tell us what type of books you write for readers who are not familiar with your books? Are they standalones or part of a series?
Tawna: I write romantic comedies that run the gamut from fluffy beach reads, to longer books that straddle the line between women’s fiction and romance, to holy-cow-I-hope-my-boss-doesn’t-see-this erotic romantic comedy. THE TEST falls into the latter category, with equal parts humor and steamy-sexy fun. Though it’s the second book in a series, I write all my books as standalones, so you can totally nab THE TEST even if you haven’t read THE LIST.
Rae: Tawna, I was unable to put The Test down. An opposites attract story that proves love happens in the least likely of places to people who may never have thought they were compatible. I wonder how many readers will connect with Lisa and feel the urge to come out of their comfort zone to tackle a fear or two. Discover what they truly need to live their best lives with passion and love. Perhaps we’ll see a movement with readers posting their own lists and tests?
Tawna: Awww, thanks so much for the kind words! I’m so glad you liked the book! I had a blast writing buttoned-up Lisa and finding ways for her to step out of her comfort zone, either sexually or by trying other things that made her uncomfortable (volunteering to wash dogs at an animal shelter or trying karaoke). I would love to see readers’ own lists of things they want to try that force them to tackle fears or try something new and scary.
Rae: The books you write for Entangled are laugh-out-loud funny with the perfect amount of spice, sometimes even more than I thought was possible. Often, your characters like to push boundaries, and defy stereotypes. Have you ever had a character do something that shocked you as the words appeared on the page?
Tawna: Definitely! I’m very much a seat-of-my-pants author, so I’m constantly surprised by my own characters. I just finished writing the yet-to-be-titled follow-up to my holiday rom-com STUDMUFFIN SANTA (which is slated for release in May) and a twist came from out of nowhere about two-thirds of the way through writing the book. I was sitting there at my desk going, “Sean, I had no idea, why didn’t you tell me?!”
Rae: When you set out to write this story what research did you do? Without giving away too much, Dax has a fascinating career, and I love how uninhibited his character is ;).
Tawna: I have to admit, Dax is one of my favorite heroes I’ve written. Researching Dax’s career was a combination of internet searches and some of what I already knew about Hydro Flask (a company based in my town that makes the sort of steel-walled reusable drink containers Dax’s imaginary company makes). As for his secret hobby, I actually wrote a hero in another book with that career (my RITA Award finalist NOW THAT IT’S YOU) and did a lot of research at that time. I was so fascinated by that world that it just made sense to add another dimension to Dax’s character.
Rae: Do you plot your book before you sit down to write?
While I prefer flying by the seat of my pants, I’ve learned the hard way that I do better when I have at least some sense of where a story is headed. I’m also contractually required to have a synopsis for all my books with Entangled Publishing, so I don’t meander as much with those stories as I tend to with some of my others.
Rae: Do you use tools like a whiteboard or notebook to jot down all the details?
Tawna: I’ve never tried the whiteboard thing, and usually have a Word doc with a bunch of rambling ideas and miscellaneous words that probably read like they’re written by a drunk chimpanzee.
Rae: As a reader who appreciates a book with well crafted covers, your team at Entangled keeps delivering stunning work. How involved are you in the design process?
Tawna: I always fill out a cover worksheet with details like my characters’ hair and eye colors and whether they have tattoos, but I don’t usually contribute much beyond that for the covers. I’m not a super visual person, so I prefer to leave book covers to the experts. Entangled is so great at it that I always know I’m in good hands.
Rae: Writing a book doesn’t happen overnight and you have a day job that keeps you busy. How do you find the time to write all the words and balance between career, family, and writer? Is there a secret formula?
Tawna: I use an old-school paper planner instead of tracking things on my phone, and it’s made a world of difference. My Erin Condren Life Planner is divided into sections for author stuff, day job, and family/personal so I can see where things overlap and if there are certain weeks where I’ll need to dial back commitments in one area to make time for the others.
This is my fourth year using that method, and I can’t imagine doing it any other way now.
Rae: Have your two worlds ever crossed and what happened if it did? Meaning, do your co-workers or clients know you write, and have they ever read your books?
Tawna: I work part-time as the PR and Communications Manager for my city’s tourism bureau, and while I keep the two worlds separate as much as possible, it’s never been a secret what my “real” job is. Social media and marketing are a huge part of my day job, and when I first applied almost eight years ago, the bosses spent quite a bit of time perusing my social media feeds. If I remember right, the day they visited my author blog was a day I’d posted a piece titled, “My hole got plugged and my jugs aren’t full” (an innuendo-laced post about grape stomping as research for a book set at a winery). Suffice it to say, they know exactly what I write, and as long as I never mistakenly post nekkid pictures on the company Facebook page with 185,000 followers, it’s all good.
Rae: I appreciate how much you connect with your readers on social media, what is the most challenging aspect of sharing with your readers? Are you still able to maintain some privacy in your personal life?
Tawna: I’ve always been a pretty open book on social media, so what you see is what you get as far as photos and posts about my social awkwardness and random absurd things that happen to me (which is part of why I write comedy, but I digress). I love connecting with readers on Facebook in particular, though there are times I catch myself spending too much time there and needing to step back for the sake of a book deadline. I suppose that’s the downside of being an author whose day job career is focused on marketing and social media—it’s hard to shut it off!
Rae: What can we expect in 2018?
Tawna: I’m super-excited about the release of THE TEST, and February is such a fun time to have a new book out. After that I have a Kindle in Motion title called GOING UP, which is a fun little rom-com novella about two strangers who meet in an elevator and find each other again thanks to a mischievous packrat. The story itself is a kick, but the added visuals are going to be really cool. That comes out in April, and then the book that follows STUDMUFFIN SANTA will be out in May. It’s a busy first quarter!
Rae: Where can readers find you in 2018?
Tawna: I’m most active on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TawnaFenskeBooks, but readers who want to keep up with all my new releases, sales, exclusive excerpts, giveaways, and of course, my famous videos can subscribe to my newsletter at www.tawnafenske.com/subscribe
Rae: Thank you for hanging out in the cafe today.
Tawna: Thanks so much for inviting me! Er, are you going to eat those tots?
Rae: I’ve had way too many, you enjoy the tots. Readers, enjoy these Tasty Tidbits from Tawna!
1. What is a must read book and why?
Mine or someone else’s? 🙂
One of my favorite books of all time is Judy Blume’s SUMMER SISTERS. I love the altering viewpoints, the coming-of-age details, and the way the romance unfolds differently than you might expect.
Of my own books, I’d say THIS TIME AROUND holds a special place in my heart. The single dad hero is a lot like my husband, and his daughter is based on my own stepdaughter.
2. What is one place that I should see if I visit your hometown?
I would take you standup paddleboarding on the Deschutes River. My dog usually rides on the front of my board, and I’ve taught lots of friends to SUP over the years.
3. Do you take-in or cook? If so, what is your “go-to” dish?
I looooove to cook, and I’m a total foodie. I make a salmon chowder that’s to-die-for, but I’m always experimenting with new recipes.
4. What is one thing readers would be surprised to know about you?
Probably not much, since I’m pretty open on social media. I suppose people are usually surprised to learn I’m an introvert, since I’m very outgoing on Facebook or when you meet me in person.
5. Hard Rock or Classical? Favorite Band or Artist?
I love all kinds of music, and every book I write has its own musical playlist. I listen to a lot of Ben Folds, War on Drugs, Mumford and Sons, and Lord Huron. I also adore ‘80s butt rock.
6. If you had an all expenses paid trip anywhere in the world for research, where would you go?
I was lucky enough to spend my 20s and 30s globetrotting all over the world, so I’ve covered a lot of ground already. Asia is one continent I’ve never touched though, so I’d love to spend several months roaming there. I wouldn’t mind going back to Australia or New Zealand, either.
7. What is your guilty pleasure?
I never feel guilty about pleasure of any kind!
8. What are you afraid of?
Needles. I can handle vaccinations, but I will completely lose my mind if you come near me for a blood draw or an IV. I can’t even handle a blood pressure cuff. Pretty sure I died of some sort of weird blood-letting ritual in a past life.
9. Tats or No Tats? If tats, how many and what did you choose for your first one?
I have five total. The first was a starfish on my ribcage, and I got it not long after my divorce because I admire the fact that you can rip their limbs off and they’ll regenerate new ones. It’s also because I’ve always loved the Starfish Story: https://starfishproject.com/the-parable/
10. Organized or Free Floating?
Free floating by nature, but forced to be more organized or I could never balance everything between my author life, day job, and family life.
11. Binge watcher or weekly viewer? Which show(s)?
Not a TV fan at all. I have no idea how to even operate the television in our home.
12. What’s on your playlist?
I listen to a lot of Pandora internet radio, and I’m constantly creating new stations and finding new artists. I mentioned before that all my books have playlists, and the one for THE TEST features The Shins, Radio Citizen, Morrissey, J Minus, The Smiths, and several others.
13. What play or musical do you want to see next?
We have tickets to several plays at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland in a few weeks, but I can’t recall what we’re seeing.
14. Are you a crafter?
Nope! I’m creative in lots of other ways. Er, that wasn’t supposed to sound pervy.
15. What’s your favorite TV show and why?
Sorry, I’m always lame at this one. I don’t watch TV.
16. If you could pick a book you’ve read and make it into a movie, which book would it be (besides yours 🙂 )?
Maybe something by Kristan Higgins? I’m just not a visual person, so TV and movies don’t do much for me.
17. What’s your favorite movie of all time and why?
I watch It’s A Wonderful Life every Christmas. It’s my dad’s favorite, and it always warms my heart.
18. Would you rather see a movie in the theater or at home on DVD and why?
I would rather sit quietly on the couch reading a good book while my husband watches a movie and maybe tells me later what it was about.
19. What is the one thing you can’t live without?
Sex. You’re sorry you asked now, aren’t you?
20. If you could invite 5 people to dinner (not friends and family – that’s too easy) who would be at your table? Where would you eat?
Lucille Ball, Ben Folds, Jane Goodall, Barack Obama, and Betty White. We’d eat at my house so I could cook and also drink lots of wine without needing to drive anywhere.
21. If you could try any career for a day, what would it be?
Shepherd. Or maybe pirate.
22. Person you admire and why?
My parents are pretty much one person, since they’ve been together since sixth grade, so I’m going with them. They’re funny, smart, caring, hard-working, and did I mention the whole been-together-since-sixth-grade thing? #LifeGoals
** GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED **
TO ENTER for your chance to win an e-book of THE TEST by TAWNA FENSKE, COMMENT on this post.
TELL US us the one place we should see if we were to visit your hometown.
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** GIVEAWAY CLOSES FEBRUARY 21, 2018 AT 11:59 PM.
WINNER WILL BE POSTED ON THIS BLOG POST by 11AM on 2-22-18.
BE SURE TO FOLLOW US on FACEBOOK and TWITTER SO YOU DON’T MISS THAT ANNOUNCEMENT! **
**WINNER MUST CLAIM PRIZE WITHIN 24 HOURS OR ANOTHER WINNER WILL BE RANDOMLY SELECTED. **
E-book provided generously provided by Entangled Publishing
Feb 16, 2018 | Blog, Blog Tour, February 2018, Harper Kincaid
The Wonder of You by Harper Kincaid is a wonderland that satisfies your deepest desires with a clever balance of humor, intoxicating charm, witty banter and a healthy dose of spice. It’s a must read book adventure that will change you forever. How? It’s a story about a woman who must tackle her fears, step out of her comfort zone and take a trip down the rabbit hole. With one click, you can take a journey with Alice. Are you ready?
Alice Leighton is a southern girl who has landed in New York City, as far as the eye can see are tall skyscrapers, taxi cabs, and people moving quickly to their destination. When her professor insists that she take her desires outside of her comfort bubble in order to be a better therapist, will she be able to let her inhibitions fly? Who will help her? Oh, Alice, what will you do? Will all her problems be solved by tapping into her inner cravings?
Dare Grangeworth has become weary of women, are they with him for his fame and fortune? Always questioning their motives has left alone, afraid to get too close for fear tragedy will strike twice. It will take the most unexpected thing to turn his world upside down and shake up his teacups. What if Alice isn’t like all the other women? Is he finally strong enough to explore
New York City is a magical place for discovery and enchantment. Harper takes us down the rabbit hole as Alice attempts to unlock her desires and stop living a life other’s want for her. Dare will discover that in order to fully move forward in his career he’ll have to unlock his inner trust wall, will Alice break through his fortress?
Alice and Dare will need each other to overcome their fears and move beyond the past. They will be tested, tempted, and teased. Who will outlast and who will dare to play the game? What would you do if you were pulled into wonderland, would you take the challenge and conquer your desires?
A bookcation that is a unique twist on a beloved childhood story that is brilliant and absolutely intoxicating. I raise my glass to the cover designer, you have captured the essence of what this book is all about and the little details inside are magical. If you’ve never read a Harper Kincaid book you’re in for a treat, it’s her best yet. The stage is set for more adventure, who will it be next? I can’t wait! 
Scorchin – Caution, may lead to unexpected need to turn on the A/C. I received this ARC from Inkslinger PR for a fair and honest review.
Author Info:
Born in California and raised in South Florida, Harper Kincaid has moved around like a gypsy with a bounty on her head ever since. For years, she was a jill of all trades and a master of none, but is now tickled hot pink to pen stories that break and mend people’s hearts for a living. Kincaid believes seduction occurs from the neck up, which is why her characters are smart, sexy, and slightly quirky – and definitely worthy to be your next hard-core book crush.
When not writing, she adores listening to indie, lo-fi, complaint rock played on vinyl, the theater, well-informed optimism, happy endings (both kinds), and making those close to her laugh ’til they snort. She is a self-admitted change junkie, loving new experiences and places, but has now happily settled in the cutest lil’ town, Vienna, Virginia.
AUTHOR LINKS:
Website
Feb 16, 2018 | Blog, February 2018, Stefanie London, Taryn Leigh Taylor, Xio Axelrod
Welcome to Authors Dish where your favorite authors share what they are reading. In addition, if you enjoy reading their books they have suggestions for similar book adventures by other authors. It doesn’t get better than that!
Today in the cafe are Xio Axelrod, Taryn Leigh Taylor, and Stefanie London
Rae: Who are you reading?
Xio Axelrod: 
I recently discovered Santino Hassell, and I cannot get enough of him. The Five Boroughs series is so addictive, and now he has a football series. So good. Every new release from both Sonali Dev and Alyssa Cole is a must-buy for me. The same goes for Rhys Ford, Robin Covington, Sierra Simone, and Sarina Bowen. So many great books, so little time! 😊
Taryn Leigh Taylor: With the launch of Dare coming up, I’ve been indulging in some super sexy reads by Clare Connolly
(*swoon*), Jackie Ashenden (*fans self*), and Katee Robert (*oh yeah*). Also loving the delightfully raunchy Sydney Smoke rugby books by Amy Andrews and, my TBR pile would not be complete without some JD Robb, because there’s always room for Roarke!
Stefanie London: Who are you reading or have in your stash? My TBR is out of control. Seriously. I’m currently reading Princess in the Iron Mask by Victoria Parker, which came on high recommendation from my good friend Jennifer Hayward. Next on the TBR is Ruby Dixon (BEST sexy alien romance ever), Roni Loren’s The Ones Who Got Away and Alice Clayton’s Wallbanger.
Rae: If readers are a fan of your books, who should they consider reading?
Xio Axelrod: If you’re a fan of my humour, you’ll love Kristan Higgins, if you don’t already. If you love my angst, give Rhys Ford a read. She’ll break your heart and sew it back together. Susan Scott Shelley writes thoroughly satisfying hockey romance (and rock, and baseball…) And if you love my drama, check out Kim Golden’s Maybe Series. If you’re a fan of my realism, Sarah Hegger’s contemporaries will do it for you.
Taryn Leigh Taylor: If you’re a fan of Taryn Leigh Taylor, you might like the heart, humour and heat in books by likes of Jill Shalvis, Lori Foster, Amy Andrews, or Stefanie London. And vice versa. *wink* Witty snark and sexual tension FTW!
Stefanie London: If you’re a fan of Stefanie London consider reading these authors… Lauren Layne and Sarah Morgan (although you’re probably already reading them because they’re amazing!) Also check out Taryn Leigh Taylor, she writes funny, sexy books with super hot hockey players. YES. PLEASE!
Rae: Thank you so much authors! Let me know dear readers if you try any of these books. I’ll see you next week – same time for new authors and more fun!
** Author Bios **
Xio Axelrod:
Xio Axelrod is a USA Today bestselling author of love stories, contemporary romance and (what she likes to call) strange, twisted tales. She also writes erotica as Xio Nin.
Xio grew up in the music industry and began recording at a young age. When she isn’t writing stories, she can be found in the studio, writing songs, or performing on international stages (under a different, not-so-secret name). She lives in Philadelphia with one full-time husband and one part-time cat.
Author Links:
Website: https://www.xioaxelrod.com/
Taryn Leigh Taylor: Taryn Leigh Taylor likes dinosaurs, bridges, and space, both personal and of the final frontier variety. She shamelessly indulges in cliches, most notably her Starbucks addiction (grande-six-pump-whole-milk-no-water chai tea latte, aka: the usual), her shoe hoard (I can stop anytime I…ooh! These are pretty!), and her penchant for falling in lust with fictional men with great abs (yum!)
She also really loves books, which is what sent her down the crazy path of writing one in the first place.
Website: http://www.tarynleightaylor.com/
Stefanie London: Growing up, Stefanie came from a family of women who loved to read. Her favourite activity was going shopping with her Nan during school holidays, where she would sit on the floor of the bookstore with her little sister and painstakingly select the books to spend her allowance on. Thus, it was no surprise Stefanie was the sort of student who would read her English books before the semester started. After sneaking several literature subjects into her ‘very practical’ Business degree, she got a job in Communications. When writing emails and newsletters didn’t fulfill her creative urges, she turned to fiction and was finally able to write the stories that kept her mind busy at night. Now she lives in Melbourne with her very own hero and enough books to sink a ship. She frequently indulges in her passions for good coffee, French perfume, high heels and zombie movies. At night she writes sexy, contemporary romance stories and tries not to spend too much time shopping online and watching baby animal videos on YouTube.
Website: http://stefanie-london.com/
Feb 14, 2018 | Blog, Coffee With, February 2018, Taryn Leigh Taylor
Rae: Thank you for hanging out with me. First, if we were meeting at a coffee shop I’d be drinking an spiced Latte with Coconut Milk with caramel drizzle, what would you order?
Taryn Leigh: Chai tea latte with extra chai and no water. Starbucks baristas now just ask me, “The usual?”
Rae: First, are you watching the Olympics? Did you catch the Opening Ceremony? I love watching to see what each country is wearing and the excitement on the players as they walk into the stadium. I’m planning to watch the hockey games as the rules have been changed for the US Team.
Taryn Leigh: I do love the spectacle of the Olympics, though I will admit, they opening and closing ceremonies can get a little esoteric for my tastes. My favourite part is the same as yours–the parade of athletes. And I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who loves checking out the Olympic fashion. 😉
Rae: What are your favorite sports to watch? I feel like it’s so hard to choose between the extreme snowboarders, the bobsled, the skating. OMG I swear I’m not going to get much sleep for the next few weeks! It’s so wonderful to watch athletes come together and go for gold.
Taryn Leigh: It’s funny, because the Olympics are the one sporting event where I end up watching stuff–and caring about stuff!–that I never thought I would! I become that girl who’s enthralled by the biathlon! LOL. But my go-to winter sports are definitely hockey, ski jump and half-pipe, and I’m with you on the bobsled! Why is that so compelling?
Rae: Have you always aspired to be a writer?
Taryn Leigh: Having my name on a book has been a dream since I joined the Young Authors’ Club in the second grade, so I’ve always dabbled in writing.
Rae: How did you fill your days before your debut book Kiss & Makeup released back in 2015?
Taryn Leigh: I still have the same day job I had before I got the call. My life before getting published wasn’t so different than it is now, except for the deadlines! The biggest between being published and unpublished is that now I have to write even when the words aren’t coming easily.
Rae: So far your releases have been contemporary romance with what I like to call a bit of spice and a dollop of sweet. Do you have any plans to write in another genre?
Taryn Leigh: “A bit of spice and a dollop of sweet.” I love that! That’s kind of my wheelhouse, to be honest, although it is my dream to write a YA book one day. Right now, though, I’m happy to be in Romancelandia.
Rae: Can you tell readers about your backlist?
Taryn Leigh: Currently, my backlist consists of a trifecta of Blazes:
My first, KISS AND MAKEUP, is the story of a make-up artist and an ad exec who get stuck in a blizzard and a fake relationship.
PLAYING TO WIN is my first foray into hockey, and tells the tale of a serious sports 
journalist who gets the biggest break of her career…so long as she acts like a ditzy hockey-dunce, and the handsome team captain who isn’t buying her puck-bunny disguise for a second.
And finally PLAYING DIRTY, is about a prickly bar owner who wants nothing to do with hockey and a cocky defenseman trying his best to convince her otherwise.
Rae: Can we expect more from your hockey heroes?
Taryn Leigh: As for hockey heroes, you know the Canadian in me isn’t ready to give up on them yet! That’s why I’m thrilled to give Books I Love a Latte this exclusive scoop:
This April, I’ll finally be releasing Eric Jacobs’ book, PLAYING FOR KEEPS! I’m so excited to get this book out in the world. Eric was written as part of my Portland Storm hockey trilogy with Harlequin Blaze, but because of the line closure, only two of the three books fit into the publishing schedule. Chronologically, Eric’s book belongs between Luke’s book (Playing to Win) and Cooper’s book (Playing Dirty), and I couldn’t be happier that the sexy centerman is finally going to get his HEA.
I’m also working on a whole new team of sexy hockey players, which will be released through Entangled’s Brazen line, and I think readers are going to love the men of the Montana Wolfpack. No release dates yet, but watch for them during the course of next year’s hockey season! (And if you enjoyed the Portland Storm books, you might see a familiar face or two pop up in the first book of the series…)
Rae: I am honored that you chose my blog to share with your readers the details on your next release! Readers check out this cover and rumor has it we’ll have an EXCLUSIVE Excerpt that you’ll only find in The Extra Shot so be sure to subscribe (Top right sidebar. Don’t worry we don’t spam or share your e-mail and we promise to send mail more than once a week.) You won’t want to miss that! OMG, Taryn Leigh…I can’t wait.
Can we just reflect on that for a moment and look at the beautiful cover. I have a feeling this is going to be one hot hero and one sexy book ;)! Hopefully we can all wait patiently. Ok, who am I kidding? When is the release date Taryn Leigh?
Taryn Leigh: Awww! I’m excited too! The release date is April 24, 2018.
Rae: Last year you posted pictures on Facebook of your trip to Rogers Place. How did you get onto the ice? What was that experience like?
Taryn Leigh: I have a one-seventh share in Oilers season tickets with some co-workers, and the team runs some really cool events throughout the season for their ticket holders. When the opportunity to do a couple of laps in the new building came up, I couldn’t resist. I’ve been on skates since I was 4 years old, so I was dying to check out a professional rink. It was an awesome experience to be down there and see things from the players’ perspective, sit on the bench, check out the penalty box. It was a blast.
Rae: In our last conversation you mentioned you were busy with a book deadline. What are you working on and when will it be ready for readers to consume?
Taryn Leigh: The project I was working on when last we spoke is one I’m really excited about. I’m honoured to have a four-book series coming out with the sexy new Harlequin DARE line. The first book, FORBIDDEN PLEASURE, drops in August, and I can’t wait for people to meet Max and Emma. DARE books have a darker, sexier tone, and it was so fun to push myself out of my comfort zone and tell the story of a woman who decides to throw caution to the wind and really start living life to the fullest. In her quest to do so, Emma quits her job and seduces her boss. After all, she’s headedto Europe, so what harm is there? It’s the perfect plan…until Max discovers that his tech company has been hacked…and all signs point to Emma as The two of them are stuck working together to uncover the hacker, but all that sexual tension isn’t so easy to ignore now that they know how good giving into the heat between them can be!
Rae: There has been a lot of chatter on social media about planning and organizing to stay focused and succeed in personal goals for 2018. How do you keep it all from spiraling out of orbit between the family life and writer life? Are you a planner girl or digital calendar queen?
Taryn Leigh: I’m old-school all the way, and I have a thing for stationery products, so planner’s make me feel much more connected to the task at hand. I love crossing things off a to-do list. Though I definitely appreciate my Google calendar and the pop-ups that keep me on track. But don’t let my answer deceive you. Staying organized and on top of things is a daily struggle for me, planner or no planner. It’s something I’m constantly trying to get better at. As a result, my writing and family life spiral into each other on a semi-regular basis. 😉
Rae: When you sit down to write, do you write the old fashioned way or type away at the keyboard? Writing all the words is a challenge, do you have a writing ritual or secret location to get the work done?
Taryn Leigh: Typically, I do a lot of keyboard writing, because honestly, it needs to end up typed into the computer anyway, so why not cut out the middle man? But that being said, when I’m stuck, or if I just need a break, I find taking my pen and notepad to Starbucks and writing long-hand is a great way to jump-start my brain. No secret ritual or location, but ambient-mixer.com is the best way I’ve found to keep myself from being distracted by outside noise. I spend a lot of time writing in the Gryffindor Common Room. 😉
Rae: Are you the writer who has a notebook for all the words that flow while driving or do you dictate into your phone?
Taryn Leigh: I keep a notebook in the car, and beside my bed, and pretty much wherever I am, to catch those rogue thoughts. I’m definitely the type of author who thinks in snippets–a joke or a piece of dialogue will hit out of nowhere, and if I don’t capture it right away, I know it will be lost forever. That being said, I’d love to get more into dictation. I have grand dreams of using my daily commute to plot more books!
Rae: How do you tackle plotting your series? Is it on a massive board, sheets of paper or just write as you go with a simple outline?
Taryn Leigh: I’m a bit of a minimalist when it comes to plotting, which has a lot of challenges. Sheets of paper are my go-to, and it’s a pretty fluid process. I try to keep notes and build a series bible as I go. This works pretty well for loose series like my hockey teams. I can already tell that my Business of Pleasure series with Harlequin DARE is going to take a bit more effort, so I’m doing a little experimenting with note cards and colour coding. So far, so good!
Rae: A lot of authors use Pinterest and make awesome boards to tease readers, are you one of them?
Taryn Leigh: I do love me some Pinterest, although I tend not to post things specific to each book. I’m always disappointed when an author tells me that a hero or heroine is based on someone I’m not that fond of, so I like to let readers cast my characters on their own. Of course, I have a running tally of hot guy pins, and savvy followers will probably be able to figure out who I’m thinking of in the role of my heroes if they pay attention.
Rae: When you are not busy writing, you keep readers updated on social media, what are your favorite types of posts, pics, or tweets?
Taryn Leigh: Instagram is probably my favourite platform, because it’s fun to tell a story with a picture as opposed to words. Especially since writing words is how I spend so much of my time. That being said, you can definitely find me on Facebook and Twitter as well.
Rae: Where can readers find you in 2018?
Taryn Leigh: If you’re looking for me, here are some good places to check:
Website: http://www.tarynleightaylor.com/
Rae: What can we expect in 2018? Do you have other projects in the works?
Taryn Leigh: This is stacking up to be my busiest year yet! I’ve got seven books due in 2018, so be ready for some fun, steamy reads coming at you from Harlequin DARE and Entangled BRAZEN.
And everything kicks off with PLAYING FOR KEEPS, which as previously mentioned, will be hitting your favourite etailers this April.
1. What is your must read book and why?
I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak. It’s got a killer concept, and whether you love it or hate it, it’s the kind of book that makes for a great discussion afterwards.
2. What is one place that I should see if I visit your hometown?
Oh. That’s easy. West Edmonton Mall!
3. Do you take-in or cook? If so, what is your “go-to” dish?
Cooking is not my favourite activity, I won’t lie, but if I’m going to do it, it’s lasagna all the way. (Lots of leftovers, and it’s great hot or cold. Which means I don’t have to cook again for a while.)
4. What is one thing readers would be surprised to know about you?
Hmmm. I have double cousins, so that’s kind of cool. My mom’s sister married my dad’s brother. (I’ll give you a second to map that out. *wink*)
5. Hard Rock or Classical? Favorite Band or Artist?
That completely depends on the day, but I’d probably say I skew more classical than hard rock more often, just because it’s earlier to write to, honestly. An artist I admire lyrically is John Mayer. Love him or hate him, he says things in the most interesting, thought-provoking way. (My fave example, from “Tracing”: And if you want to know the moment/I knew that I was still alone/I found I never learned your number/I only stored it in my phone/You’d think by now I’d know the shape of calling home)
6. If you had an all expenses paid trip anywhere in the world for research, where would you go?
I love to travel, and there are a million places that I’d love to go…Australia is right up there on the list. If someone wants to fund my trip to Australia, I wouldn’t say no.
7. What is your guilty pleasure?
I don’t know if I feel guilty about it, but I do love the movie Newsies, and it’s soundtrack, with more fervor than I probably should. 😉
8. What are you afraid of?
Failure.
9. Tats or No Tats? If tats, how many and what did you choose for your first one?
I am currently tat-less. Probably a direct result of my fear of commitment. 😉
10. Organized or Free Floating?
Free-floating, though I wish I were more organized.
11. Binge watcher or weekly viewer? Which show(s)?
Mostly binge watching right now, because of tight deadlines. (Writing is really cutting into my TV time!) One of my favorite binge shows is Black Mirror. Just devoured the latest season on Netflix.
12. What’s on your playlist?
Whatever music makes me think of the novel I’m working on. I find music very helpful to set the vibe of a book, so it changes a lot. But for something specific, while writing my first Dare, I was introduced to the music of Bryce Fox, and both “Horns” and “Voodoo” are playlist staples now.
13. What play or musical do you want to see next?
Hamilton is definitely on the list! Though I get to see Les Mis again soon, and I can’t wait.
14. Are you a crafter?
Not with any regularity. Because I have a day job, I tend to put my free time into book writing. But one day I will learn to knit!
15. What’s your favorite TV show and why?
It’s a toss-up between Serenity and Veronica Mars. Both of them inspire me so much…great dialogue, great characters, great actors, great storytelling.
16. If you could pick a book you’ve read and make it into a movie, which book would it be (besides yours 🙂 )?
This one is tough, because so many movies fall flat, and I would hate to see it happen in this case, but I love JD Robb novels so much, that if I could see Eve and Roarke done well on the big screen…take my money.
17. What’s your favorite movie of all time and why?
Oh man. Too hard! One of my favourites, though, is the CBC version of Anne of Green Gables. I rewatch it on a regular basis, usually over the Christmas holidays. The source material is one of my favourite books of all time, and it’s so impeccably acted. I’ll go with that. That’s a movie I never tire of. It hits all the emotions, and gives me the hit of romance I crave. What more could I ask for? (It really hurt me not to say The Cutting Edge. LOL. I’m so bad at picking just one thing!)
18. Would you rather see a movie in the theater or at home on DVD? Why?
Lately, I’m more of a homebody, to be honest. I’ll still drag myself out for the full immersion of a big spectacle like Star Wars, or a good superhero movie, but for most movies, I’d rather be curled up on my couch at home with a soft blanket and a warm drink.
19. What is the one thing you can’t live without?
My phone. I’m addicted. It’s true. I didn’t want to be this person, but I totally am.
20. If you could invite 5 people to dinner (not friends and family – that’s too easy) who would be at your table? Where would you eat?
JK Rowling, Nora Roberts, Edgar Wright, Joss Whedon, and Rob Thomas. Just a bunch of people I admire, sitting around a big table in Tuscany, eating family style and talking storytelling. Heaven
21. If you could try any career for a day, what would it be?
Paleontologist. No question about it. Dinosaurs are the BEST!
22. Person you admire and why?
I admire people who put themselves out there and do the hard work that is needed to make their dreams come true. It’s something I struggle with on a daily basis, and there’s nothing I find more inspirational that people who get up after they get knocked down. In a world full of pretty social media posts, it’s too easy to think people just “make it,” that their lives are magical as their filtered Instagram pictures, but the truth is, being good at anything takes a lot of patience and reevaluation and hard work. So I admire anyone who is passionate enough about something to just keep working toward the finish line. That’s the kind of person I am striving to be.
Rae: Thank you for hanging out in the cafe today.
Taryn Leigh: Thank you so much for having me! It’s been my pleasure.
